Ukraine and Moldova get the "go-ahead" to start EU accession talks

The European Commission recommends starting negotiations on Ukraine and Moldova's accession to the European Union, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen officially announced during a press conference in Brussels on November 8.

"Ukrainians are deeply reforming their country and preparing for accession even as they fight an existential war. Today, the Commission recommends to the Council to start accession negotiations with Ukraine," the EC President said.

Ukrainians are deeply reforming their country and preparing for accession,
even as they are fighting an existential war.

Today the Commission recommends that the Council opens accession negotiations with Ukraine. pic.twitter.com/XNuyZigoZu

— Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) November 8, 2023

She noted that Ukraine has implemented 90% of the reforms expected by the EU, while the condition remains that the unfinished reforms continue to be implemented.

"Major progress has been made in the area of constitutional justice, the reform of the selection of the High Council of Justice, the anti-corruption program, the fight against money laundering, important measures to curb oligarchs, as well as the new media law and the progress of national minorities," von der Leyen said.

She added that Moldova has also carried out significant reforms despite persistent destabilization attempts against its democracy, and the Commission recommends that the EU Council start accession talks with the country.

At the same time, the Commission recommends granting candidate status to Georgia, provided that the government takes important reform steps "that reflect the genuine aspirations of the vast majority of its citizens to join the European Union."

Another historic step for the citizens of regarding their aspirations.

We’ve adopted our 2023 Enlargement Package recommending to open negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova, to grant candidate status to Georgia, and to open accession negotiations with Bosnia and… pic.twitter.com/Ipr61YHFSz

— European Commission (@EU_Commission) November 8, 2023